Transport Committee on Dec. 9th, 2009

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

In my mind, the mood on the committee suggests that this is not going to be adequate to deal with the clauses going forward in any case. I think in some respects we've dealt with this bill in an odd fashion, in that my understanding was that there was to be extensive consultation with the minister, that there was a consensus process in place, and that some of these issues would be aired out beforehand and the clause-by-clause would be more easily accomplished.

The sense I'm getting from this is that it is a fruitless effort to continue the committee's hearings at this time, because there are many parliamentary procedures that will eat up the hours that are put forward in this bill.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Jean.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I was going to bring up a point of order when Mr. Nadeau was speaking, but obviously the feelings on the committee are such that they do not want to proceed with this bill before Christmas. I was hoping that we could all find consensus to move forward and try to get it done so it could go to the other place as soon as possible. But if that's not the case, if you can't find time in the next two days to do it, then I withdraw my motion, as long as the amendment is withdrawn.

I don't want to have bad feelings about this. My point is that I've received a lot of pressure from the other parties to get this matter through as quickly as possible because of the consultations that have happened in the communities, and if that's not the feeling of the committee members, then I withdraw that motion, because I just don't want to have that kind of feeling in this committee. We do work very well together.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Well, we will--

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

If I may, Mr. Chair, I would encourage other members that if they could find time in their schedule tomorrow, I think we could still deal with it by that time, if we have a special meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Okay, the motion has been....

Monsieur Proulx.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

I think my name was on the list, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

I just have to ask whether the motion has been withdrawn. I'm not sure what we're debating.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Has it been withdrawn?

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

The motion has been withdrawn, absolutely.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

There was a friendly amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

And the friendly amendment.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I'm just trying to get this done. That's the purpose of it.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Chair, I was going to ask if the death of the minister's cat was still making people obsessed, because that's why the minister was late with this.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Bevington, on a point of order.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

We have a vote at 5:15 with no bells, so I'll have to excuse myself.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

No, they're all 15-minute bells.

[Marcel Proulx, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

The bells will be at 5:15.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

At 5:15 there will be 15-minute bells.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

Those aren't the instructions I got from my lobby.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Well, we have nine minutes. What's the will of the committee?

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

My understanding is that unless the bells have happened and there's unanimous consent to continue, we can't continue, the same as unless there is unanimous consent we can't stop. However, I could be wrong.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

On amendment G-5, Mr. Jean.

We've agreed by unanimous consent that it's an amendment that can be presented.

I will stop the meeting the minute the bells ring, and we'll adjourn for the season.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Mr. Chair, this particular government amendment was put forward in developing a master plan to require the NCC to provide opportunities for public comment across the country. I think that's what it does, as well as containing the principles and objectives of the greenbelt, which we've said.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Is there any comment?

(Amendment agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]